With MTV's Top Pop Group kicking off in less than two weeks, we figured it was time to round up a list of our all-time favorite pop princes and princesses. So here, in no particular order, is a list of the six musical acts who once had us shelling out our hard-earned allowances for a newfangled technological marvel commonly known as the "CD."
New Kids on the Block - These guys were the first -- and, some say, the best -- boy band racket in town. They had it all: the moves, the girls and, of course, the over-the-top merchandising (NKOTB lunch boxes, action figures and onesie pajamas? Seriously??) Yeah, we're gonna ignore their unsolicited comeback and focus on the happier times instead. As in, the days when Donnie Wahlberg was actually considered "the famous one."
Backstreet Boys - Remember when Paris Hilton had her heart broken by Nick Carter? Neither do we! But it, like, totally happened. That said, we'll best remember the Backstreet Boys for embodying all the classic b-band characteristics: the matching outfits, the cheesy choreography, and the requisite "edgy" one (who wore weird hats and had crazy highlights and appeared to the pseudo-rebellious mainstream teenybopper).
The Spice Girls - Before she was the lovely/robotic Victoria Beckham, you knew her as Posh Spice, the girl best known for never smiling, wearing ridiculous clothes and mugging for the camera. (Apparently, some things never change). And despite embracing "girl power," you never did figure out what the hell "Wannabe" was really about. Although you did (eventually) stop coveting Scary Spice's abs...around the same time you found out she got knocked up by professional babymaker Eddie Murphy.
'N SYNC (a.k.a. *NSYNC) - There can be no "All-Time Top Pop Groups" list without this late 90's boy band bonanza. Although less commercially popular than their archrivals, the Backstreet Boys, this oddly punctuated pop fivesome successfully launched the solo careers of Justin Timberlake (formerly known as Brillo Head) and ABDC judge J.C. Chasez. Plus they even sang a song about their undying devotion to pop music! And you loved it. Even though the video secretly scared you with those creepy marionettes.
Ace of Base - It's hard to explain why we ever liked "I Saw the Sign." It's tedious without being long, repetitive without being catchy, and -- in trademark Ace of Base fashion -- makes absolutely zero sense. In retrospect, it would seem that the Swedish foursome either failed out of introductory English class or else wrote everything with the help of Babelfish.com. But at the time, it all seemed so beautiful and enigmatic! Of course, that was also back at a time when you thought My So-Called Life was, like, profound. Or whatever.
Boyz II Men - Sure, they're a little cheesy (except for that deep-voiced guy! He ruled!) but man, could those guys harmonize! And while their songs are often synonymous with getting it on -- wait, unless you totally misunderstood "I'll Make Love To You" -- you'll always remember them best for Motown Phili. Because, let's face it, it was your first real exposure to hip-hop. And because you will forever associate it with that Full House episode where Stephanie Tanner effs up the dance on purpose...and Bob Saget admits to (creepily!) sewing extra sequins onto her leotard.